My Word is My Bond

It seems like a fairly old-fashioned concept these days.  Keeping my word.  Yet the more I think about it, the more desirable it is.
I do know there are times that despite my intention or desire, circumstances conspire to make it impossible to keep my word.  At other times I know it is something I do because I think it is in my best interests.  Even if I know it never is.
Lying is just not in my nature.  I am sure there are things that are in my nature, that would be unacceptable to some, but lying is not one of them.  I do remember the last time I knowingly lied.  It was in the 1990’s.  I think the fact I remember it despite it being seemingly so long ago, is proof enough that it is just something that is foreign to me.
Besides, and I have said it before, I reckon lying is just too much like hard work.  It would be so difficult to remember who I told what.
It seems to me in this day and age, the advertising is counterproductive on the trust level.  So much is designed to extol the virtues of something or some organization, but it is taken with a grain of salt.  It seems so much that is said is designed for a sale, rather than a presentation of fact.
To me this is unfortunate as it gives an impression that a word is not to be believed.  Mankind is prone to cynicism.  I couldn’t trust this or that so why should I trust you?  Trust has always had to be earned but it seemed slower than it need be.  I remember ringing a company to complain that something was lacking, and being on hold and the advertising saying the exact opposite was the way things were.
For all the faults of the past it seems trust was more commonplace than it now is.  There is a wariness now.  It is like the little boy who cried wolf.  Truth is not believed where it might have once been, because lies have prevailed too long.
Why should I?” becomes the go too response rather than “this would be worth checking out.”  The Narnia series of books by C S Lewis made a huge impression on me.  I remember the dwarfs in the final book “The Last Battle” being on no one’s side.  They attacked Aslan’s side and Tash’s side without fear or favour.  They were uncommitted.  They were having a bet each way.  It was like they had experienced disappointment enough times for them to not want to commit to anything anymore.
Never mind that something was true and something a lie.  Their response was to believe nothing.  Self-protection.  Never mind also that the prevalence of lies only hid the truth rather than prove it did not exist.
I really feel the same is happening today.  They do say the darker the night the brighter the light.  Truth to me stands out.  But no matter what, things should be checked out.  Cynicism may prevail, but to me that does not mean the truth is not out there.